In early 2025, the grid connection queue had grown to more than 720 GW, with many stalled or speculative schemes that lacked land rights, planning certainty or realistic development prospects. Gate 2 aims to prioritise the projects that are genuinely ready to progress, ensuring that viable schemes can move forward and unattractive or uncertain proposals do not block capacity.
For landowners, this means that developers must now demonstrate a higher level of commitment and project maturity before progressing through the system, reducing the likelihood of speculative approaches and increasing the reliability of those who come forward.
What developers must demonstrate to reach Gate 2
To reach Gate 2 and secure a confirmed grid connection date, developers must demonstrate:
- Secured land rights, typically via an option agreement of suitable duration
- A submitted planning application for the project
- Alignment with national clean energy targets, or eligibility under protection criteria such as early planning milestones
Projects that cannot demonstrate these requirements are issued Gate 1 status. These projects do not receive a confirmed connection date, and many may not progress at all. For landowners, this reduces the chances of being tied into long‑term agreements with projects that lack realistic prospects.
Gate 2 outcomes and current position
In December 2025, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) published the first outcomes of the reformed connections queue, confirming that 283 GW of generation and storage projects qualified for Gate 2 status. These projects were allocated connection capacity across two phases:
- Phase 1 – targeting connection by 2030: 132 GW
- Phase 2 – targeting connection by 2035: 151 GW
Since then, the focus has shifted from policy reform to delivery. During 2026, Gate 2 offers are being issued on a phased and location‑based basis, following further technical assessment across the network. Revised timelines mean that some projects are receiving confirmed offers later than originally anticipated, depending on grid capacity constraints and engineering complexity.
For landowners, this underlines the importance of understanding not only whether a project has achieved Gate 2 status, but also when and where connection offers are expected to be issued for their specific site.
Technology impacts
Certain technologies, such as solar and onshore wind, remain well supported under the new allocations where projects meet both readiness and strategic alignment criteria. However, battery storage projects have been subject to greater scrutiny under the reformed system, reflecting levels of oversupply in some areas of the grid.
In practice, this has meant that some standalone or non‑protected storage schemes have been allocated Gate 1 status, while in co‑located projects the storage and generation elements have sometimes been treated differently. For landowners approached by developers, this makes early assessment of project structure, viability and grid strategy increasingly important.
What this means for landowners
Overall, these reforms create a more transparent and stable environment for landowners considering diversification into energy projects. Developers engaging with you should now be better prepared, more committed, and further progressed through planning and grid assessment than under the previous system.
However, landowners should be aware that Gate 2 status does not remove all delivery risk. Connection timing, evolving grid constraints and changes to project configuration can still affect project viability and commercial terms. Independent advice at an early stage can help ensure that land interests are properly protected and that option agreements reflect the realities of the reformed connections process.
How we can help
If you have recently received a Gate 1 or Gate 2 notification, have been approached by a developer seeking to progress an energy scheme, or are reassessing an existing agreement following the reformed queue, we would be delighted to assist. Contact us to speak with a specialist who can provide clear, informed guidance tailored to your individual aims.
Energy and Sustainability – GFW
